Members of the Erie Queer community stand with boots and coats collected Saturday, February 10, at Journey to a Trauma Informed Life. Items collected were donated to Community Shelter Services of Erie PA.

This year, Journey to a Trauma-Informed Life, 201 W 11th Street, Erie, PA, is combining their community building events into one weekend - Friday night game night, Saturday crafternoon and open art studio, Sunday early afternoon banned book club and later afternoon yoga classes, plus special events to try each month. Head to their webpage at https://atraumainformedlife.com/ or Facebook page for details. Early 2024 dates are January 19-21, February 16-18, and March 15-17.

For this year's World AIDS Day Memorial Event on December 1st, the Erie County HIV Task Force is excited to announce a collaboration with PA Thrive Partnership and Journey to a Trauma Informed Life. This collab is bringing together these great local community resources as part of a new project for the event on World AIDS Day. Erie County residents are invited to participate in the ‘More Than a Quilt' open art therapy sessions being held at Journey's office [201 W 11th St, Erie PA 16501] on Mondays October 30th and November 6th from 12pm to 2pm. The Art therapy sessions are an open space for people to process the impact that HIV / AIDS has had on their lives. Anyone who is living with HIV or has been impacted through HIV / AIDS are encouraged to attend one or both sessions. Creations from these sessions will be on display during the World AIDS Day observances and materials are provided at no cost to participants. For more information on participating, call (833)4UR-JRNY and speak with the staff at Journey to a Trauma Informed Life. For additional info on the World AIDS Day event, visit the Erie County HIV Task Force at ECHIV.ORG or contact us at 814-315-3375 or admin@echiv.org.

Join TransFamily of NWPA on Monday, November 20th for Transgender Day of Remembrance. We will come together to remember and honor our transgender siblings that have been lost to senseless acts of anti-transgender violence, marginalization and stigma by reading their names and short bios aloud. The vigil will be held at Journey to a Trauma-Informed Life, 201 W. 11th Street, Erie PA at 7:30 pm. It will also be live-streamed on our Facebook page for those who can't attend. Light refreshments will be provided.

Journey to a Trauma Informed Life, 201 W 11th St, Erie PA, is presenting a 6-8 week small group experience exploring shadow work, integrating elements of EMDR and Internal Family Systems therapy. The group is led by Dr. William Koehler, co-owner of Journey to a Trauma Informed Life. Additional one-on-one guides are also available, should you need them. The group meets weekly on Tuesday evenings. The first session is on July 25th, 5:30-7pm, and is offered both remotely and in-person at our West 11th St. location. Journey Through the Shadows accommodates a maximum of 10 people in a closed group setting. You won't have newcomers joining once it starts. Weekly group sessions will be billed to your health insurance. Any copay or deductible falls under your responsibility. Supplies are provided, and a suggested donation of $5/week is appreciated for snacks/refreshments.

Journey To A Trauma Informed Life, 201 W 11th St, Erie, PA, offers trauma-sensitive yoga on Thursday at 10:30 am and Sunday at 5pm. What is trauma-sensitive yoga? It is facilitated by a yoga instructor with extra training to be aware of how movement and positioning of our body sometimes brings up 'old wounds.' Each class is supported by at least one trained therapist who is available to assist people with processing should anything come up during the class. People often wonder if it is any different than the yoga classes they have been to or have seen.

In addition to events listed in the Erie Gay News calendar, Journey to a Trauma Informed Life, 201 W 11th St, Erie PA, is currently taking sign ups for LGBTQ+ Affirming classes, sessions and groups.

This 3-year old diverse mental health organization celebrated its newest milestone on January 1, 2023 when Angelica Spraggins, MA LPC CRC obtained an equity stake in the business and joined Dr. Koehler as a partner. Spraggins, a graduate of PennWest Edinboro, joined the workforce at Journey to a Trauma Informed Life in February 2022. Speaking of this personal and professional accomplishment, Spraggins said, "My self assigned goal in Erie, since making it my home in 2015, has been to build a safer, more inclusive space to support those communities that need it most. As a clinician, Journey has allowed me to bring this goal to fruition. Now as a co-owner I have the opportunity to renew my commitment to this community." Journey to a Trauma Informed Life is located at 201 W 11th St, Erie PA.

When a fire broke out at Erie's St. Patrick’s Haven, other local shelters were asked to help take on more to help bridge the gap in meeting the needs of those in our community. One of those shelters is Community Shelter Services, located at 655 W 16th St in Erie. They are currently low on supplies, including bedding, paper products, and coffee.

Finding queer spaces to socialize, hang out, make friends, and play games can be difficult. As adults, it is hard to make friends outside of work, especially within your community. Journey to a Trauma-Informed Life is happy to host a monthly game night. There is a $10 suggested donation for a night of food, friends, fun, and gaming. Game Night will be offered on the first Friday of every month and hosted by art therapist Eric Reiche. To register go to our website (atraumainformedlife.com). Our next event will be February 3rd from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, friends and games welcome.

The LGBTQIA+ community once again comes together to collect boots and coats for Community Shelter Services of Erie PA. New or gently used boots in all sizes will be accepted as well as new and gently used coats on Saturday, January 28 from noon to 3 PM at Journey to a Trauma Informed Life, 201 W 11th St, Erie PA.

Journey to a Trauma-Informed Life will be hosting an info session for professionals and agencies that service gender-expansive communities to promote an art therapy group for this audience. This group is a structured curriculum developed by a master’s level counselor and art therapist geared toward lessening the traumatic impact of a transitioning family member upon the individual and their system.

Journey to a Trauma Informed Life reaffirms our position against abuse of children, specifically childhood sexual abuse, molestation, grooming, or any activity bringing harm to a child in this (or any other) manner. Abuse of children in any form is damaging; however sexual abuse is a deeply personal trauma that, if left untreated, leaves survivors with a lifetime impact. Journey was founded on - and continues to dedicate its entire existence to helping people heal from trauma. We are unwavering in this purpose, particularly when it comes to trauma endured by the most vulnerable.

Journey to a Trauma Informed Life, LLC is celebrating our new home at 201 W 11th St, Erie PA, 16501, and launching our new nonprofit: Journey: Healing Together. They purchased the site in March 2022 and immediately began renovations. The nonprofit and for profit will co-locate to maximize community collaboration. They are excited to invite you into their new space and celebrate the healing journeys to take place there. They will be hosting the open house on August 26, 2022 with tours, refreshments, and giveaways. The ribbon cutting will take place at 10:00 a.m.

Journey to a Trauma Informed Life is proud to be recognized as an LGBT Business Enterprise by the NGLCC. Journey is only the second business in Erie, PA, to receive this recognition. The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) brings visibility to the City of Erie and accountability to its members. The NGLCC is the exclusive certifying body of LGBT owned business enterprises.

Journey to a Trauma Informed Life observed their second anniversary on Monday, July 26, at their office at 3104 State St, Erie, PA. Their other offices are at 2230 W. 8th Street, Suite#2 Erie, PA 16505, and  1001 State Street, Suite #1309 Erie, PA 16501. Journey to a Trauma Informed Life, LLC was founded in July 2019 by three dedicated clinicians who saw a need for trauma-informed, culturally competent mental health services in our community. Since then, we have grown to a staff of 12, each ready to help you on the next stage of your own journey to healing.

The LGBTQ+ youth programs sponsored by Greater Erie Alliance for Equality have been taking a break this summer. Monthly programming will resume soon with an Art Wellness group on September 9th. Head to: https://atraumainformedlife.com/resources/lgbtq/youth/ to register and meet our new program director and youth advocates. Sign up for the newsletter to see what else is happening

Join us for a free, 4 week support group exploring themes of self care, self compassion, challenging negative thoughts, and creating safety. The workshop is presented by Journey to a Trauma Informed Life and happens April 20, April 27, May 4, May 11 from 4:00 to 5:00 PM at Central Outreach Wellness Center, 3104 State St, Erie PA. Have you been feeling stressed and overwhelmed? This past year we have all had to deal with difficult challenges, loss, stressors, and living with the unknown. Join Brianna Morrow and Mindy Luthey for a support group to help cope with the unprecedented challenges we have all been facing. Sign up at https://form.jotform.com/210976016714152. Questions? Please call or text (814) 201- 6432

"Welcome to Journey, how can we help you?" This is what you'll hear when you contact us. Edward Randazzo, our office manager, has a voice that instantly sets a stressed caller at ease. Suddenly, you realize you've found a safe haven from your life's storm. If you're looking for a counselor who sees you for who you really are, or a guide through some troubled times, you can find someone who will walk with you here at Journey to a Trauma Informed Life. We have ten therapists prepared to help you heal, cope, transition, and transform. We can meet with you in person at one of our 3 private, personable locations, or over telehealth - whichever feels safer for you. We offer individual, couples, family and group counseling for all ages. We accept many insurances or offer an income-based sliding scale fee for service. Visit www.atraumainformedlife.com or call (833)487-5769 to get connected.

Journey to A Trauma Informed Life and Greater Erie Alliance for Equality are proud to present a vision card workshop by guest presenter Eric Reiche for LGBTQ+ 12-15 year olds on Thursday, 12/30, 3-5 pm. Vision cards are mini vision boards with a twist. Eric Reiche is a queer-identifying grad student studying art therapy at Edinboro University.. You must register to attend, via Google meet link or in-person (provided it is safe). Limit 8 people in-person.

Journey to A Trauma Informed Life and Greater Erie Alliance for Equality are proud to present a health and wellness program by guest speaker Ray/Rachel Lohr, LSW for LGBTQ+ 15-18 year olds on Thursday, 12/17, 4-6 pm.